Ikaruga
Arcade

Ikaruga

88
Critic Rating
#Shooter

About

In this vertical scrolling spaceship shooter, you control a ship that can change its polarity at will. As blue/white, the ship can easily destroy red/black enemies, and vice versa. Bullets of your polarity can be collected to fuel your energy gauge, but those opposite will kill you. Destroying an enemy ship causes them to fire revenge bullets which can be absorbed and fired back by the player. Different difficulties exist to change exactly how you interact with polarized points, or how they appear. It is the spiritual successor to Radiant Silvergun, featuring similar level and boss design, as well as it's buddhism inspired themes and aesthetics. Both are directed by Hiroshi Iuchi, who also composed Ikaruga's soundtrack.

Playtime Estimates

Main Story1.6h
Main + Extra17.8h
Completionist192.1h
All Styles2.8h
Confidence: 100%Updated: 9/26/2026

Live Prices & Deals

Current store offers for selected market.

Source: No offers

Multiplayer

Online Co-opUp to 2
Local Co-opUp to 2
Campaign Co-opYes

Similar Games

Game Info

Release Date12/20/2001
DeveloperTreasure
PublisherTreasure
PlatformsArcade
GenresShooter, Puzzle, Indie, Arcade
IGDB Rating88/100 (48)

Game Modes

Single player
Multiplayer
Split screen

Themes

Action
Science fiction

Perspectives

Third person
Bird view / Isometric

Release Dates

ArcadeDec 20, 2001